Ashes 2013-14: Ben Stokes backed to replace Jonathan Trott

Ben Stokes has been backed to replace Jonathan Trott in the England side for the second Ashes Test by former players Michael Vaughan and Steve Harmison.

Ex-captain Vaughan believes Ian Bell should bat at number three after

Former paceman Harmison feels Durham all-rounder Stokes coming in at number six would give England flexibility.

"They need an X-factor bowler and that allows them to play Monty Panesar or Steve Finn," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

Who replaces Trott?

Jonny Bairstow (pictured): 4,882 first-class runs at an average of 43.58 (544 Test runs, average 30.22)

Gary Ballance: 4,747 at 53.33

Ben Stokes: 3,172 at 35.64 and 110 wickets at 28.24

"This is not just me with a Durham hat on, it's me being practical," added 35-year-old Harmison, who took 222 wickets in 63 Tests for England.

"England are behind in the series, they need a wicket-taking bowler."

Trott, 32, endured a difficult time in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane, struggling against the bowling of Mitchell Johnson and scoring only 19 runs in two innings as England went down to a 381-run defeat.

Stokes, 22, is yet to make his Test debut but has scored 3,172 first-class runs at an average of 35.64 while taking 110 wickets at 28.24.

Another potential Test debutant, Gary Ballance could come in, as could Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow, who has made 12 Test appearances.

Ballance, 24, has scored 4,747 runs in first-class cricket and averages 53.33, while Bairstow, also 24, has 4,882 runs at 43.58.

England must also decide who replaces Trott at number three in the batting order for the second Test in Adelaide, which starts on 5 December.